Definition
An inflammation of the tendon is also called tendinitis in the technical terminology. The tendons, which are exposed to high mechanical stress, are protected by so-called tendon sheaths. These can be imagined like a sheath in which the tendons glide back and forth.
There they serve as protection against friction. If the tendons are permanently overloaded, both the tendon itself and the tendon sheaths can become inflamed. This happens mainly at the points of origin and attachment of the tendons to the bone and is very painful. On the leg, jogging is often the only way to get rid of the inflammation and a temporary interruption of the training.
Causes
As a rule, the tendons slide in the tendon sheaths during flexion and extension and are protected from excessive abrasion by these. If a certain movement is repeated frequently over a period of time, this can lead to irritation of the tendons and tendon sheaths due to the friction. This can then lead to tendon inflammation and also tendosynovitis.
In the area of the leg, tendon inflammation often occurs on the shin. There the place at the transition from the shin bone to the back of the foot is most frequently affected, where the insertion point of the front shin muscle is located. Lifting and lowering the foot irritates the tendons and tendon sheaths located there.
This is the case, for example, during long walks or jogging. This can lead to tendon inflammation, especially if the person affected is not used to such movement. Increased one-sided strain on the foot or leg, for example by repeatedly pressing a pedal or lever, can also lead to tendon inflammation.
The Achilles tendon is also frequently affected by inflammation. This is a characteristic localization of the symptoms of excessive running training. In addition, bacterial infections, for example with so-called gonococci or chlamydia, can also be the cause of tendon inflammation. However, this is rarely the case. Also inflammatory joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis are a possible trigger.
